Bianjing City.
The night was gloomy, starless and moonless.
The cold wind gradually subsided, and lead clouds gathered. The pressure became lower and lower, and the temperature suddenly dropped a lot.
The whole forbidden area was bright.
In the Kunning Hall, the best imperial doctors and midwives in Bianjing City gathered.
Zhao Zhen was pacing back and forth, very nervous.
Zhao Zongshi and Gao Taotao also came to the front of the hall.
Zhang Meiren, Miao Zhaoyi and other concubines were sitting in the side hall with different expressions.
And at this moment.
Officials from Zhongshu Province, Privy Council, Third Bureau, Yushitai and other yamen were all sitting in the official office.
No one left.
The Cao family and the Runan County Prince's Mansion all sent people to guard the ban, and even the Xuande Gate was surrounded by layers of people who were eager to get the news.
The teahouses and wine shops in the city were almost full of people.
This is not only a matter for the royal family, but also for the entire Song Dynasty.
The people have been looking forward to this day for too long.
If Empress Cao gives birth to a prince, he will be the eldest son (death in infancy is not included in this).
The eldest son is beyond words.
If he can grow up successfully and makes no major mistakes, he will most likely be the crown prince and the next official.
…
Yushitai, inside the Chaoyuan.
Su Liang, Zhou Yuan, and Lu Hui sat together, slowly drinking tea and eating dried fruits.
Lu Jie said excitedly: "If the queen gives birth to a prince, it is estimated that Tang Zhongcheng will submit a memorial tomorrow to request the withdrawal of Zhang Yaozuo's promotion edict!"
"No, no, no, I can't wait until tomorrow. I met with Zhongcheng the day before yesterday, and he has already written the memorial. It is expected that he will submit it tonight!" Zhou Yuan said with a smile.
"I hope he is a prince, a healthy prince. This is so important to our Song Dynasty!" Su Liang murmured.
Su Liang knew it very well.
If he were a prince, Zhao Zhen's energy and spirit would be completely different next.
Once Zhao Zhen became tough, the courtiers would slowly become more aggressive, and it would not be far before the Song Dynasty became powerful.
…
After a while.
The weather is getting colder and colder, the lead clouds over Jinzhong are getting thicker and thicker, and it seems to be raining.
Inside Kunning Hall.
The chamberlains and maids were all busy.
From time to time, maids came in and out, carrying hot water and towels in a hurry.
Zhao Zhen's heart suddenly rose to his throat. He had never been so nervous.
Not long after.
Zhang Mao walked over quickly.
"Guan Jian, Si Tianjian observed the celestial phenomena just now and said that the weather has suddenly turned cold and the humidity has become heavier. This is a sign of golden pregnancy and water, which is auspicious."
Hearing this, Zhao Zhen nodded slightly, feeling more at peace.
at this time.
Zhao Zhen suddenly heard Empress Cao's painful cry from inside, and couldn't help but run straight into the palace.
The moment he entered the hall, a baby's cry rang out.
"Wow……"
The cry was loud and clear, making everyone excited.
Zhao Zhen suddenly stopped.
For a moment, the palace was quiet, and only the cry of the baby could be heard.
Next.
A woman's voice filled with joy sounded.
"Congratulations to the official family, congratulations to the official family, happy to have a prince, mother and son are safe!"
Zhao Zhen was immediately ecstatic and ran straight to the bed.
When he saw Queen Cao, who was pale but smiling, he saw the little guy waving his little hands and crying.
For a moment, I actually cried.
Once upon a time, he also wanted to lead a military expedition in person, and also wanted to patrol the northwest and south of the Yangtze River, but his officials said that "the official family has no children" and he was trapped in this square city.
Once upon a time, courtiers quarreled countless times in the court, asking him to make Zhao Zongshi the crown prince. He was unwilling to do so, but was speechless and cried bitterly in the side hall several times.
In the past, his countless plans and imaginations all disappeared in his thoughts because he had no children.
Because he has no children.
What he did as an official was really frustrating.
Zhao Zhen looked at the baby in front of him and murmured: "This time, I will protect you from growing up!"
Right now.
High in the night sky, a cool breeze blew.
The lead clouds dispersed and the cold air gradually faded away.
In almost the blink of an eye, the sky was filled with stars.
A shallow crescent moon emerged from the haze in the west, very bright.
Just when the officials and the people were marveling at this strange celestial phenomenon, a piece of news came from the forbidden area.
"The official family is happy to have a prince. Both mother and son are safe!"
For a while.
The people in Bianjing cheered and rushed to tell each other. Officials from various government offices were also very excited, shouting: Is there anyone who will succeed us in the Song Dynasty?
…
The Cao family's home.
More than thirty Cao family members gathered in the hall.
They were the ones most worried about Queen Cao's safety.
Now that they heard that Queen Cao was safe and gave birth to a prince, the whole clan cried with joy.
They know that from today on, the status of the Cao family will be completely different from that in the past.
…
Runan County Prince's Mansion.
After Zhao Yunrang heard the news, he covered his face and cried with tears.
"I hope...I hope I won't trouble my son anymore. If there is nothing in your life, don't force it. Don't force it!"
After Zhao Zongshi left home and became a monk, Zhao Yunrang was already looking forward to having another son in the official family.
If Zhao Zongshi is brought into the palace again.
I'm afraid that before he can ascend the throne, he will go completely crazy.
…
As for Zhang Meiren in the palace.
She immediately returned to her bedroom with a dark face.
Even if she has another child, the probability of defeating Queen Cao is not high.
…
The next day, early in the morning.
Zhongshu officials became busy.
Zhao Zhen most likely stayed up all night and issued several edicts in succession.
In the first step, when the prince is born, the whole world celebrates, and he is sentenced to the first level of imprisonment in the three capitals, and those who are sentenced to less than 10 years of imprisonment are released.
The second step was to order the court etiquette officials to inform the ancestral temple about the royal family’s birth of a son.
The third way is to give the prince a salary of 300,000 yuan per month, ten pieces of damask and two pieces of violet for spring clothes, and ten pieces of damask and one hundred taels of cotton for winter clothes.
Fourth, three days later, the royal family hosted a banquet in the inner garden for the royal family and courtiers to celebrate the birth of the prince.
Fifth, give the prince robes, a hundred pieces of colorful silk, a hundred taels of gold, two horses, and a pair of gold-plated and silver-plated saddles.
The sixth way, reward the Cao family with 3,000 taels of silver, 300 taels of gold, gold belts, gold and silver flower utensils, fine clothes...
The seventh way: Order Cao Cong, the deputy commander of the horse army, to re-select the forbidden servants to guard Kunning Hall.
The eighth way: choose the small character for the prince: Ying'er (baby name)
…
Before noon, Zhao Zhen issued eight edicts in a row.
This shows how much he attaches great importance to Queen Cao's son.
at the same time.
Zhang Yaozuo's promotion edict was withdrawn quietly, and Zhang Meiren did not dare to say a word.
This is, mother is more valuable than son.
No matter how great the favor is, it can't compare to giving birth to a prince for the official family.
On this day, in order to celebrate this event, the people in Bianjing City killed chickens and sheep every family, just like a festival, and it was very lively.
…
On the eighth day of October, in Chui Gong Hall.
Zhao Zhen sat above, put Cao Yi's resignation aside, and looked down.
"Jing Xiu, do you really want to resign and help Su Jingming set up a private school?"
Cao Yi nodded very firmly.
"Guan, you know me well. I am far inferior to my brothers of the same clan in martial arts, and I have a lazy personality. Although I am free when I am on duty in the palace, it is not what I want."
"I admire Su Jingming very much. His "Hundred Schools of Learning" makes me think I can give it a try. In addition, Su Jingming is kind to my Cao family, and my uncle is willing to pay for it."
Zhao Zhen nodded slightly.
He opposed the entry of hundreds of scholars into the Imperial College.
This move will anger many scholars and make the court unstable.
But if it were to be a private school, he would be willing to let Su Liang and Cao Yi tinker with it, maybe there would be surprises.
"Actually, you don't have to resign. Despite this vacancy, you can still do other things. I can give you special approval!" Zhao Zhen said with a smile.
Queen Cao had just given birth to a prince, and Zhao Zhen was so pleased with the Cao family.
And this morning, the imperial doctor checked the little prince's body and said: He is far healthier than ordinary children.
Empress Cao once practiced martial arts and was always in good health, and the children she gave birth to were rosy-cheeked and full of energy.
"Thank you for the good intentions of the officials. It would be better for me to resign. Otherwise, some courtiers will inevitably impeach me for having too close contact with Su Jingming, which will lead to the risk of the courtiers and relatives joining forces to monopolize power!"
Zhao Zhen straightened his back.
"You two are using your personal money to do things for the court. How can you talk about having exclusive power? Let me see who dares to impeach you!" Zhao Zhen said with a glare.
It has been a rule since ancient times that courtiers and relatives should not interact too closely.
But you need to look at what exactly you are doing.
At the moment, Su Liang and Cao Yi are using their personal pockets as a plan for the court.
If anyone dares to impeach, Zhao Zhen will definitely scold him.
Zhao Zhen added: "If you encounter any difficulties, come to me at any time and I will help you."
"Thank you, officials!" Cao Yi said with cupped hands.
What he likes most is the kindness of today's officials.
…
Two days later, in a private room of a teahouse.
Su Liang and Cao Yi sat opposite each other.
Cao Yan pointed to the map of Kaifeng Mansion on the table and said, "Jing Ming, take a look. I have found five places in total. Which one is most suitable for you to use as the site of Baijia College? I will buy it immediately."
Su Liang took a big look and shook his head.
"No, I don't recommend placing Baijia College in Bianjing City."
"Where to put it?" Cao Yan was a little confused.
Su Liang thought for a while and pointed at the location on the map.
"What? You want to put the hospital site next to the river (the old river road)? This... this is too far!"
"This...the surrounding area is either sandy land or fields. It is deserted and uninhabited. It is not suitable for living and studying at all!"
Su Liang explained: "The so-called Baijia Academy is naturally different from the ordinary academies that lock students in school buildings to study. People who come to this academy may be smelting metals, cultivating land, or logging trees. This kind of place is excellent for chipping away at wood.
"Besides, as an inventor, you must endure loneliness. Bianjing City is too noisy!"
"Furthermore, in order to prevent the group of students from the Imperial College from causing trouble, it is most suitable to place the courtyard here. Search this area. It is best not to be five miles away from the river. Find a high slope to protect it from floods. …”
"Yeah, that makes sense." Cao Yi nodded.
…
soon.
The news that the Cao family funded Su Liang to build Baijia College spread to the streets.
Some students from the Imperial Academy wanted to rely on their family power to make those who wanted to help Su Liang give up.
But when I heard that it was Cao Guo's uncle Cao Yan who did this, I was immediately frightened.
At the moment, the Cao family's favor is at its peak.
Even if the princes of the two government and three departments would nod and smile when they see the Cao family, who would dare to offend the Cao family!
(End of chapter)
